It comes after Yerevan Mayor Karen Karapetyan adopted a decision which bans street trade on one side of the way leading to the government building. On the other side of the way trade, however, continues on Saturdays and Sundays.

From Monday to Friday, the site is under renovation which is expected to create more favorable conditions for those who trade there.

Another protestor said he used to be a miner, but he lost all his savings after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

He also said that the Yerevan Municipality is putting him in a blind ally by banning street trade in that part of the city.

“We are all earning our daily bread here. I am a craftsman and I receive only 27,000 drams (approx $70) in pensions which is hardly enough to cover the expenses of the medicines for my ill wife,” said he.

He also said that by selling those items which he himself prepares during the week, he manages to earn as much money as is his salary.

Some of the protesters had been trading in Vernisage, but now when the fees for the booths have increased, they can no longer afford selling their items there.

“We don’t want to steal, to plunder. We want to earn our daily bread with our own work,” the protesters said, adding that they will assembly in protest on Saturday too.